What is the meaning of Judges 19:4? His father-in-law, the girl’s father - The double description highlights the family bond binding the Levite and the older man. Scripture often underscores relationships to show covenant responsibilities (Genesis 24:50; Exodus 18:7). - By calling him “father-in-law” and “the girl’s father,” the text reminds readers of both marital and parental obligations, stressing hospitality and protection, themes found earlier in Judges 17:7–9 and later in Ruth 2:20. Persuaded him to stay - Hospitality in Israel was a sacred duty (Genesis 18:3-5; 19:2-3). The father-in-law’s insistence reflects genuine affection and a cultural norm demanding generosity toward travelers (Job 31:32). - The Levite’s willingness to yield hints at his need for rest and reconciliation after retrieving his concubine (Judges 19:3). Proverbs 27:10 commends not forsaking friends or family in time of need, reinforcing the welcome. He remained with him three days - The specific “three days” signals completeness or sufficiency of time for renewal (Genesis 42:17-18; 2 Samuel 24:13). - Staying multiple days showed fellowship, but it also delayed the Levite’s journey, foreshadowing the tragedy that follows when they finally depart (Judges 19:10-28). Psalm 90:12 urges wisdom in numbering days—here, the lost time becomes pivotal. Eating, drinking, and lodging there - These activities summarize full hospitality: provision, refreshment, and shelter (Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 25:6). - Meals in Scripture often seal peace and covenant (Genesis 26:30; Luke 24:30). Yet in this narrative, the comfort precedes chaos, illustrating how sin in Israel could shatter even the safest homes (Judges 21:25). summary Judges 19:4 paints a vivid picture of robust, covenant-shaped hospitality: a caring father-in-law presses the Levite to rest, and the Levite accepts. The verse commends genuine family devotion and the biblical virtue of welcoming travelers, yet its placement at the threshold of the chapter’s darkness warns that even sincere hospitality cannot mask Israel’s deeper moral decay. |
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